Writer and director Barry Levinson takes us to Fell's Point, Baltimore, where six young men are socializing during the Christmas break. Though friends for years, they are a widely divergent group. The action centers around the diner they consider the hub of their lives, where they hang out after their evenings' entertainments.
I can understand why Levinson wanted to memorialize an era and a location from his past, but these characters are, in the main, not very likable. And the story demonstrates very little change in their characters, though there are life lessons to be learned from their experiences.
On the other hand, Levinson has assembled a very talented cast. All the main actors (Guttenbert, Rourke, Bacon, Stern, Daly, and Reiser) are on their way up and will find greater success, usually within a few years. It is entertaining to see them at this early point in their careers.
A young Ellen Barkin steals some scenes as the wife of one character. In 1986, she will deliver a much more mature performance in "The Big Easy".
And Levinson will go on to direct some strong films, including the iconic "Rain Man".
I can understand why Levinson wanted to memorialize an era and a location from his past, but these characters are, in the main, not very likable. And the story demonstrates very little change in their characters, though there are life lessons to be learned from their experiences.
On the other hand, Levinson has assembled a very talented cast. All the main actors (Guttenbert, Rourke, Bacon, Stern, Daly, and Reiser) are on their way up and will find greater success, usually within a few years. It is entertaining to see them at this early point in their careers.
A young Ellen Barkin steals some scenes as the wife of one character. In 1986, she will deliver a much more mature performance in "The Big Easy".
And Levinson will go on to direct some strong films, including the iconic "Rain Man".